Mat 17:20, Luk 17:6, Jam 1:6 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 20. As a grain of mustard seed . . The mustard seed was the smallest of all Seeds. It has been supposed by some, therefore, that he meant to say, if ye have the smallest or feeblest faith that is genuine, ye can do all things. The mustard seed produced the largest of all herbs. It has been supposed by others, therefore, to mean, If you have increasing, expanding, enlarged faith, growing and strengthening from small beginnings, you can perform the most difficult undertaking. There is a principle of vitality in the grain of seed, stretching forward to great results, which illustrates the nature of faith. Your faith should be like that. This is probably the true meaning. Ye shall say unto this mountain , etc. Probably he pointed to a mountain near, to assure them, if they had such faith, they might accomplish the most difficult undertakings--things that at first would appear impossible. (q) "unbelief" (r) "if ye have"

Matthew 17:20

Verse 20. As a grain of mustard seed. Mt 13:31,32. The mustard seed was the smallest of all Seeds. It has been supposed by some, therefore, that he meant to say, if ye have the smallest or feeblest faith that is genuine, ye can do all things. The mustard seed produced the largest of all herbs. It has been supposed by others, therefore, to mean, If you have increasing, expanding, enlarged faith, growing and strengthening from small beginnings, you can perform the most difficult undertaking. There is a principle of vitality in the grain of seed, stretching forward to great results, which illustrates the nature of faith. Your faith should be like that. This is probably the true meaning.

Ye shall say unto this mountain, etc. Probably he pointed to a mountain near, to assure them, if they had such faith, they might accomplish the most difficult undertakings--things that at first would appear impossible.

(q) "unbelief" Heb 3:9 (r) "if ye have" Mt 21:21, Mk 11:23, Lk 17:6, 1Cor 13:2

Luke 17:6

Verse 6. Mt 17:20. Sycamine-tree. This name, as well as sycamore, is given, among us, to the large tree commonly called the buttonwood; but the tree here mentioned is different. The Latin Vulgate and the Syriac versions translate it mulberry-tree. It is said to have been a tree that commonly grew in Egypt, of the size and appearance of a mulberry-tree, but bearing a species of figs. This tree was common in Palestine. It is probable that our Lord was standing by one as he addressed these words to his disciples. Dr. Thomson (The Land and the Book, vol. i.p. 22-24) says of this tree : "It is generally planted by the wayside, in the open

space where several paths meet." [Comp. Lk 19:4]

This sycamore is a remarkable tree. It not only bears

several crops of figs during the year, but these figs

grow on short stems along the trunk and large branches,

and not at the end of twigs, as in other fruit-bearing

trees.

The figs are small, and of a greenish-yellow colour. At

Gaza and Askelon I saw them of a purple tinge, and much

larger than they are in this part of the country. They

were carried to market in large quantities, and appeared

to be more valued there than with us. Still, they are,

at best, very insipid, and none but the poorer classes

eat them. It is easily propagated, merely by planting

a stout branch in the ground, and watering it until it

has struck its roots into the soil. This it does with

great rapidity and to a vast depth. It was with

reference to this latter fact that our Lord selected it

to illustrate the power of faith. Now, look at this

tree--its ample girth, its wide-spread arms branching

off from the parent trunk only a few feet from the

ground; then examine its enormous roots, as thick,

as numerous, and as wide-spread into the deep soil

below as the branches extend into the air above--the

very best type of invincible steadfastness. What

power on earth can pluck up such a tree ? Heaven's

thunderbolt may strike it down, the wild tornado may

tear it to fragments, but nothing short of miraculous

power can fairly pluck it up by the roots."

(e) "If ye had faith" Mt 17:20, 21:21, Mk 9:23, 11:23

James 1:6

Verse 6. But let him ask in faith. See the passages referred to in Jas 1:5. Mt 7:7, and Heb 11:6 to obtain any favour from God if there is not faith; and where, as in regard to the wisdom necessary to guide us, we are sure that it is in accordance with his will to grant it to us, we may come to him with the utmost confidence, the most entire assurance, that it will be granted. In this case, we should come to God without a doubt that, if we ask with a proper spirit, the very thing that we ask will be bestowed on us. We cannot in all other cases be so sure that what we ask will be for our good, or that it will be in accordance with his will to bestow it; and hence we cannot in such cases come with the same kind of faith. We can then only come with unwavering confidence in God, that he will do what is right and best; and that if he sees that what we ask will be for our good, he will bestow it upon us. Here, however, nothing prevents our coming with the assurance that the very thing which we ask will be conferred on us. Nothing wavering. μηδενδιακρινομενος. "Doubting or hesitating as to nothing, or in no respect." See Acts 20:20; 11:12. In regard to the matter under consideration, there is to be no hesitancy, no doubting, no vacillation of the mind. We are to come to God with the utmost confidence and assurance.

For he that wavereth, is like a wave of the sea, etc. The propriety and beauty of this comparison will be seen at once. The wave of the sea has no stability. It is at the mercy of every wind, and seems to be driven and tossed every way. So he that comes to God with unsettled convictions and hopes, is liable to be driven about by every new feeling that may spring up in the mind. At one moment, hope and faith impel him to come to God; then the mind is at once filled with uncertainty and doubt, and the soul is agitated and restless as the ocean. Compare Isa 57:20. Hope on the one hand, and the fear of not obtaining the favour which is desired on the other, keep the mind restless and discomposed.

(a) "But let him ask in faith" Mk 11:24 (*) "wavering", or "doubting" (+) "wavereth", or "doubteth"